COSATU Today, 10 April 2008
Dominic Tweedie
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Published by the Congress of South African Trade Unions
1 Leyds Street, Braamfontein
Tel. 011 339 4911 Fax. 086 603 9667
COSATU’s Spokesperson is: Patrick Craven
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- COSATU Today -
Our side of the story
Thursday 10 April 2008
Contents
1.1 Arrest of Zimbabwean TU President
1.2 KZN churches speak out on Zimbabwe
2.1 Chris Hani Memorial Events
3.2 Workmen’s Compensation: Letter
International
1.1 Arrest of Zimbabwean TU President
Patrick Craven, 9 April 2008
The Congress of South African Trade Unions has been outraged at the news that Masimba Kadzimu, the President of the Zimbabwe Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), was taken into custody on Monday 7th April 2008 and is being held at by police at Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West Province.
Comrade Kadzimu was the Presiding Officer for Raffingora Polling Station in the Zvimba North Constituency. He is being held over the elections results and was scheduled to appear in Court today, 9th April 2008. In the meantime his union has instructed its lawyer to handle the matter.
The media can get more information from the General Secretary, George Nasho Wilson, on +263 11 806 199 (mobile) or +263 4 701 123/707 208 or the Deputy GS, Emelda Mhuriro, on +263 11 805 146.
COSATU and its public sector affiliate NEHAWU demand the immediate release of comrade Kadzimu and the other electoral officials reported to have been arrested.
COSATU also reiterates its demand for the immediate release of the presidential election results.
Patrick Craven (National Spokesperson), Congress of South African Trade Unions
Tel: +27 11 339-4911/24, Fax: +27 11 339-5080/6940/ 086 603 9667
Cell: 0828217456, E-Mail: pat...@cosatu.org.za
1.2 KZN churches speak out on Zimbabwe
Selvan Chetty, 9 April 2008
KwaZulu-Natal churches and church organizations have called for intervention in the Zimbabwean situation by the South African government and leaders of SADC countries to ensure that the presidential election results are released without further delay - and that the results are honoured.
They announced an international Weekend of Prayer for Zimbabwe between 18 and 20 April, inviting people of all faiths to offer prayers in their churches, mosques, synagogues and temples.
They stressed the urgent need for observer missions and solidarity delegations to go to Zimbabwe over the next few weeks in preparation for a possible run-off election and to disseminate accurate information about the situation in that country.
These resolutions were passed at a meeting in Pietermaritzburg on 8 April at which a ten-person delegation organized by the KwaZulu-Natal Christian Council (KZNCC) and the Anglican Diocese of Natal in collaboration with the Solidarity Peace Trust of Zimbabwe, reported on the recent elections.
Each member of the KZN delegation stayed in communities in north or south Zimbabwe, some of them in remote rural areas. They were struck by the great poverty and hunger which has resulted from Mugabe’s failed economic policies. Nevertheless, the delegates’ presence, prayers and encouragement was welcomed and they were asked by ordinary Zimbabweans to ensure that their demand for change would be heard by the international community.
In assessing the Zimbabwean elections, the report-back meeting stated its belief that the freeness, fairness and peacefulness of an election should not be assessed simply on what happens on election day, but on the climate created in the preceding weeks and months. During that period the Mugabe regime continued to use police intimidation; banned critical media and observers; gerrymandered constituencies; packed the electoral commission with its supporters and barred a potentially vast postal vote by Zimbabwean exiles.
While the election day itself gave great hope and expectation, the report-back meeting was concerned that Zimbabwe was now becoming increasingly tense because of:
- the delay in releasing the presidential election results;
- the Zanu-PF call for a recount of the votes, and their court challenge to the results in a number of parliamentary constituencies;
- the arrest of Zimbabwe Electoral Commission staff for allegedly under-counting some votes;
- the invasion of farms by “war vets”;
- biased state media which give vastly more time to reports about Zanu-PF than to the MDC, which is consistently presented in a negative light;
- the fact that while the MDC has not been able to publicly celebrate their victory in the parliamentary elections for fear of a security crackdown, “war vets” have marched in the streets of Harare with the protection of a police escort;
- the arrest and deportation of journalists and media workers.
Despite these trying circumstances, it will be necessary for the people of Zimbabwe to continue displaying great discipline.
The KZNCC report back meeting was attended by the Mayor of Pietermaritzburg, Councillor Zanele Hlatshwayo. She commended the delegation which had made the solidarity visit to Zimbabwe and said that she fully understood their concerns and those of the KZN churches and church organizations as presented in the meeting.
Contact: Selvan Chetty on 083 556 1726, Email: in...@kzncc.org.za
South Africa
2.1 Chris Hani Memorial Events
WREATH LAYING CEREMONY
DATE: 10 APRIL 2008
TIME: 10H00
VENUE: SOUTH PARK CEMETERY
Programme Director: Councilor Isaac Bangilizwe
PROGRAMME
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10h00 |
Assemble at the Barry Marais Park |
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10h30 |
March to the spot of unfortunate incident (next to the House) to observe a moment of silence |
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11h00 |
Depart to the Cemetery |
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11h30 |
Opening: National Anthem & Prayer by Presiding Pastor |
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11h45 |
Guest Speakers: Alliance Partners: SACP General Secretary, Dr Blade Nzimande, COSATU General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, and ANC Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe |
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12h00 |
Mayoral Address: Executive Mayor Clr. D. Nkosi |
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12h20 |
Wreath laying ceremony |
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12h30 |
Gratitude – Hani Family |
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13h00 |
End of Programme |
MEMORIAL LECTURE
TIME: 19H00
VENUE: BOKSBURG CIVIC HALL
Programme Director: Councillor Isaac Bangilizwe
PROGRAMME
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18h30 |
Arrival of Guests (background Musical performances) |
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19h00 |
Welcoming and Mayoral Address – Executive Mayor Councillor. D. Nkosi |
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19h30 |
Memorial Lecture – ANC Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe |
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20h30 |
Questions and Discussions |
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21h00 |
Entertainment |
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22h00 |
End of Memorial Lecture function |
Workplace
3.1 Mergers
Sifiso Khumalo, 9 April 2008
Four COSATU Public Sector Unions namely, National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU), South African Municipality Workers’ Union (SAMWU), Public and Allied Workers’ Union of South Africa (PAWUSA) and South African State and Allied Workers’ Union (SASAWU) met on the 7th of April 2008 to revive the process towards mergers and cartels as per the COSATU resolutions of the past two Congresses. COSATU NOBS will lead the process and the affiliates involved will take ownership of it. We have adopted a sectoral approach whereby SADNU and DENOSA, SASAWU and PAWUSA and NEHAWU and SAMWU would meet and discuss sectoral process that will speed up efforts leading towards one public sector union.
The sectoral unions will have bi-lateral meetings, which will be co-ordinated by COSATU National Office Bearers and there will an all-inclusive reporting meeting all affected affiliates however the reporting structure will be the JMC (Joint Mandating Committee comprising of all Public Sector affiliates’ National leadership). Communication to affiliates’ structures will be done jointly by COSATU or the affected affiliates.
COSATU
3.2 Workmen’s Compensation: Letter
Dear Mr Craven
Thank you for taking my call yesterday.
I am an executive member of this association and Workmen’s Compensation is one of my portfolios.
During my 12 years in the EMS industry we have seen a decline in the ability of COID to render a service to the very people that they are mandated to look after.
The Government instituted this act to protect the average employee and rightly so. Many of these employee's work under extremely dangerous situations and suffer the most horrific injuries. Once this takes place COID is meant to kick in and support the relevant patient in many ways.
Currently these patients are being compromised from the first minute of their injury for the following reasons.
Ambulances are often loath to service these patients due to non payment and attitude of COID officials when you eventually get hold of them.
As an association we have been negotiating with them for over two years in an attempt to sort out problems hereby allowing us to service these patients. The act states that they are entitled to the best service available. It is law that all companies pay relevant levies to COID. This is a multi million rand industry where top COID executives earn large salaries to run this industry. On national TV they admit that they do not have capacity or even training facilities to alleviate their problems. Even after we have offered our services nothing has been forthcoming. There are simple industry norms that can be put into place to sort out all the major problems. Unfortunately we have had so many different directors etc over the years that no one is prepared to accept responsibility and make decisions.
I have a copy of the story done by Special Assignment highlighting the plight of the injured workers and would happily forward it to you.
One of the biggest problems that we experience is in transporting para and quadriplegics to rehab or into hospital for checkups etc. These workers are often living in outlying areas far removed from any transport routes. When we try and get permission we are constantly told that they must catch a taxi and claim back from COID. This is a completely unacceptable position as they do not have either the money or ability to send invoices to COID etc.
A current case is of a paraplegic who needs to be transported from Butterworth to see his urologist for theatre procedures in PE. They have rejected the ambulance request but approved the Hospital request. In rejecting the ambulance request they state he is not sick enough etc. This poor man has missed two theatre dates and has no one to help him.
This is not an isolated case but one of many many such instanced where the very people that the act has set out to protect has in fact let them down.
Our industry has millions in outstanding accounts hereby creating an enviroment whereby we really cannot afford to tend to these patients which is grossly unfair to the average worker as COID is his "medical Umbrella".
We believe that Cosatu and other unions need to be aware that many of their members are maybe being compromised badly. On many occasions doctors and hospitals are loath to accept these patients based on non-payment over many years. We have accounts that have been outstanding for in excess of 3 years in certain instances.
As our pleas to COID are being ignored we would greatly appreciate any input from you as to how these problems could be addressed. We have a SAPAESA executive meeting on May 6th at O.R. Tambo airport in the Rennies conference rooms and would like to extend an invitation to your organization to attend whereby you could be briefed on all the issues we are experiencing. This committee is made up from members representing all major provinces.
We have in fact invited COID directors to this specific meeting on more than one accasion and have yet to receive any response.
Sir, this is not a cry for financial intervention but a moral issue surrounding the fact that once again the very people that this act was put in place to protect for all the right reasons has once again let them down.
We as an industry would greatly appreciate your views on this.
Regards
Dave Gardner
SAPAESA